Emily Sukiennik, 26, Moab, Utah
Why do you slackline, highline and rock climb?: I love the challenge. I’ve always been into sports (my Dad had me on ice skates when I was 3!) but when I found rock climbing and slacklining I became obsessed with the “fear” component. It’s not only physically demanding, but you have to overcome and control the fear, which is the most rewarding part for me. I feel best when I’ve accomplished a goal, so I keep setting them for myself.
How long have you been doing these extreme sports? I’ve been climbing since around 2007, slacklining and highlining since 2009.
Do you compete? I used to compete in “tricklining” competitions, performing tricks on the slackline a few feet off the ground. I had a great time with that for about two years, but I found that my true passion lies in highlining and I’ve chosen to pursue that instead. I love to practice and perform tricks on highlines because it’s a combination of the gymnastic tricks and the intense exposure. It’s so scary and beautiful at the same time.
Most challenging aspect of these activities? Gosh, there are a lot of challenging aspects. I guess I’d say the rigging is the most challenging for me. I have to set the riggings up by myself and it’s always a different situation. It’s like a puzzle: you have to figure out how to make your gear work correctly which quite often takes hours and can be very frustrating!
Most fun aspect of it all? The most fun part is getting to be in such magical places, it’s like I’m floating in space!
Most rewarding aspect? The most rewarding aspect for me is the feeling I get when it’s all over. I get to see what I had accomplished and smile.
Who/what inspires you when you’re feeling weak? When I’m feeling weak, I like to think about women who have worked hard for their goals and kept going despite the many setbacks and difficulties along the way. Things take time and a lot of hard work and sometimes that’s easy to forget. I am very inspired by Steph Davis, a phenomenal rock climber, BASE jumper and wing-suit flyer also based out of Moab. She’s done things that I can’t even fathom, like travel the world, attempt first ascents and write two books. When I see what she has accomplished I can’t help but aspire to do the same. (check out her website: www.highinfatuation.com )
Advice for others who’d like to get started: Buy your first slackline! You can find some great kits at www.balancecommunity.com or www.gibbonslacklines.com. Check out your local rock climbing gym! It’s a great place to meet people that are into the outdoors and playing on rocks (you might even meet some slackliners there too!).
Your must-have equipment for slacklining, highlining and rock climbing: I laugh because I need an entire backpack or two full of steel, ropes and webbing. My favorite piece of equipment is my swami-belt. It’s an alternate harness that I wrap around my waist to stay safe, but the thing about it is that it would really hurt if I fell in it. People typically don’t understand why I wear this instead of a regular harness, so let me explain: Wearing a harness is very safe and it’s okay to fall in it. After a while I got comfortable and skilled at highlining, when that happened I needed to spice things up a bit. I am not into walking the line without safety gear at all, so I decided to start wearing a swami. It is incentive for me not to fall and to focus completely on staying upright. I say it’s my form of free soloing. Another cool part about it is that the definition of “swami” is “master” so when I wear it, I feel like a master of my art!
Favorite training song: Hmm….right now I’d have to say “Anything” by Tegan and Sara. I love them!
Favorite healthy food: Enormous salads filled with fruits and veggies.
Favorite not-so-healthy food: Oreos!
Funniest /weirdest/most awkward experience doing it all: When I tried my first highline ever, I was not prepared for what would happen if I fell. Naturally, being my first highline, I fell and didn’t catch the line. I “whipped” onto my back-up leash and was unable to get back onto the line! I have a video of it somewhere, it’s so hilarious and embarrassing at the same time. Almost everyone struggles with this in the beginning, so when I see people going through the same thing I just flash back to that experience and giggle 🙂
